24 FEATURES
According to the OHS Act , any employees working in a situation where they may be exposed to risk or potential risk are required to wear personal protective equipment ( PPE ). Examples of PPE include safety shoes , hard hats , gloves , aprons , eye protection , and / or ear protection .
Plumbers find themselves in situations in which they might be at risk of scalding from hot water , vision loss , being hit by a falling object on a construction site for example , as well as toxic fumes , chemicals and pathogens .
“ Safety is key , and risks occur at any time ,” says van Zyl . “ Plumbing is a great career choice , but work still needs to be done correctly , responsibly and always safely .”
Always be prepared . Plumbers must regularly cut , clean and carry various items . With these activities , there is a degree of danger .
“ If you ’ re not wearing the required PPE and something goes wrong , the responsibility is yours ,” says van Zyl .
With the varied activities of plumbing and depending on the service offering of a particular plumber or plumbing business , a plumber may find themselves soldering , working in confined spaces , working in sewers and working in spaces where visibility is limited or at risk of falling objects .
Gloves are also part of the essential clothing requirements . Nitrile or latex gloves can be worn under work gloves for added protection from pathogens . Drain cleaning work gloves made from leather , PVC or a synthetic blend are also an excellent choice . Welding gloves are heat resistant and come with extra-long cuffs to protect against injury .
Working on certain kinds of jobs may come with hazards that require specially designed fabrics and possibly flame-retardant materials . However , the focus should be first and foremost safety .
WHY GO WITH UNIFORMS ? The purpose of a uniform is to represent your business and brand . Uniforms should be comfortable , functional and safe .
CLOTHING REGULATIONS It ’ s always a good idea to familiarise yourself with what the SANS regulations have to say about work clothing . SANS 434 talks about what is required for the material , cut , make and trim of boilersuits , two-piece workwear overalls , bib and brace overalls as well as coats and unlined jackets . It doesn ’ t cover clothes needed for protection against specific hazards . It concentrates on materials , workmanship , sizes , the makeup of the clothing , and even stitches and seams .
SANS 1423 part 1 takes a look at the requirements for fabrics made for low flammability . These are divided into four different flammability categories :
• Class A – must be able to withstand industrial or hospital laundry processes
• Class B – must withstand washes of up to 95 ° C
• Class C – must withstand wash temperature of up to 40 ° C
• Class D – must withstand washes of up to 60 ° C
As we can see , clothing is not just about looking good and promoting your business , but also serves to keep you safe . Ultimately , the choice and responsibility lie with you , the sole proprietor or the employer in a larger firm . However , it is always better to err on the side of caution and ensure that you have the correct – and even extra – PPE , gum boots , hard hats , and gloves available at any time in case they are needed . PA
REFERENCES SANS Docs 434 , 1423
All images : Plumbing Africa
Heavy-duty gloves protect you during those messy jobs . Visibility vest indicating the wearer is a first aider .
www . plumbingafrica . co . za @ plumbingonline @ plumbingonline @ PlumbingAfricaOnline February 2024 Volume 29 I Number 12